3 takeaways at halftime of Packers vs Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are up on the Green Bay Packers 17-0 at halftime and the Kevin O’Connell era is off to a great start.
Throughout the first quarter, there were a lot of takeaways from the beginning of the 2021 season with some good and some that need improvement.
Here are the main three takeaways from the Viking performance against the Green Bay Packers.
Justin Jefferson is the best wide receiver in the NFL
Oct 3, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) congratulates wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) who is celebrating a touchdown reception from quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) against the Cleveland Browns in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports
If there was any question as to who the best wide receiver in the National Football League was, Jefferson has made his case even stronger for being the best in the league.
In the first half, Jefferson amassed 111 yards which is his league-leading eighth game since the beginning of 2020 where he topped 100 yards in a single half. He also just caught his 200th reception in the NFL.
This marked the 200th career reception for @JJettas2, who is appearing in his 34th game.
He ties Anquan Boldin & Reggie Bush as the 4th-fastest player ever to reach 200 catches. Only Odell Beckham Jr. (30 games), Michael Thomas (32) & Jarvis Landry (33) reached the mark quicker. https://t.co/BknWcdoMy5
— NFL345 (@NFL345) September 11, 2022
The Vikings are cooking in the first half mostly due to Jefferson’s greatness.
Kirk Cousins has a different confidence about him
Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) prepares to throw a pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
We have spoke at length about the Vikings starting quarterback not evolving due to his age and having had played the same style over the last 20+ years of his life.
During the first half, Cousins was playing with a different confidence about him.
Kirk Cousins felt more confident working through his progressions on that completion to Johnny Mundt
— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) September 11, 2022
He was working through his progressions well and making confident decisions. He honestly looks like a more energized quarterback under O’Connell than he did with Zimmer.
Not only did Cousins look improved but the whole unit looked more confident.
A lot of the offensive concepts used on the first drive looked the same but the use of motion and confidence were out of this world different. The Vikings offense is on pace to be really good if this keeps up
— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) September 11, 2022
Whether this will continue is definitely a major question moving forward as this is the first game and defenses will have tape on this offense.
The defense will be bend don't break
Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) prepares to throw a pass as Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter (99) rushes in during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, Patrick Peterson got beat on the Packers first play on a sluggo route by rookie Christian Watson. Thankfully for the Vikings, he ended up dropping a sure touchdown. After that, the Vikings limited the Packersfearly and often.
Outside of a couple of shallow routes, the Vikings defense was solid on every level. The pass rush was getting to Rodgers, the linebackers were making tackles in space and the coverage has been overall solid, including an interception by Harrison Smith at the end of the first half.
The best play was a fourth and goal stop where the defense stuffed Aaron Jones at the one-yard line. Things will not stay this consistent throughout the season but it’s a hell of a start for Ed Donatell’s unit.
